Bridge the Gap Walk

The Bridge the Gap Walk is an annual fund raising event that takes place in Cambridge.

If you are looking for an easy way to take part in an charity event, this is for you.

It is a 5 mile walk that goes through Cambridge and over 10 of the colleges.

It is also a great way to see the colleges for a small price. It has a lovely atmosphere and is something I will take part in year after year.

See you next year!

Great Barrow Challenge.

Looking for a challenge? Come join us on the Great Barrow Challenge.

The challenges are:

• Walk - 6,10,15 or the full 26.5 miles

• Run - 6,10,15 or the full 26.5 miles

• Marathons- 26, 262 or 524 125 miles

The event will start and finish each day at The Academy Health & Fitness Centre in Barrow. Each day will be a different route which will consist of both road and off-road terrain, while taking in the beautiful Suffolk countryside.

The Great Barrow Challenge is for both civilian and military individuals and teams.
So come and join us to see a view of England you can't replicate and challenge yourself.

Robin Hood Festival

Last Year Jon and I were in Nottingham at the same time as the Robin Hood Festival was going on in Sherwood Forest. It was great to see all the little children dressed as Robin Hood and Maid Marion.

Sherwood Forest is about 40 minute drive from Nottingham and Nottingham is about a 2 hour drive from Cambridge. While this was a great time to see Sherwood Forest, I would suggest not driving all the way from the bases for the day to see the Robin Hood Festival.

The festival going on made the trip to Sherwood Forest worth it because otherwise you just go see the Major Oak. There were all sorts of displays, falconry, jousting, games and other stalls. It was free to attend but you had to pay for parking. You could make this an affordable day by packing your own picnic and then let the children run free.

Also take them walking around Sherwood Forest and see the Major Oak.

Great festival but a bit of a drive for one day.

Perkins Great Eastern Run- Peterbourgh Half MArathon

The Perkins Great Eastern Run is a half marathon in Peterbourgh. It is a really nice one as it is relatively flat. It takes place in October and is one of the ones I enjoyed the most because it was also only one loop. If you are looking to have a PB, this is the one for you.

Sandringham Flower Show

Want to see Prince Charles and The Duchess of York? The best way to do this is to go to the Sandringham Flower Show in the 25th July 2012from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.


It’s a great event to bring the children to. There are exhibits of horses and other displays like aerobatics teams, dog shows and bands and of course flower displays from the Women’s Institute (you might know about them through the movie Calendar Girls).

It’s only a 45 minute drive from base.

The Sandringham Estate is open to take a stroll. Sandringham Estate is where the Royal Family spends their Christmas and attend Christmas service at Church of St Mary Magdalene which is also usually open to visit.

I asked the question of where the Queen sits as she is the Head of the Church of England and the answer is she sits up front with the priest and other clergy members.

So take the day off and see how close you can get to royalty.

Maize Maze

The Milton Maze is made out of corn stalks and is open every year. Since this year is the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the theme is of course the Battle of Britain.

They are open from 18 July to 3 September from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rectory Farm, Landbeach Road
Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6DA.

7/7 Bombings

It’s is easy to think that America has been the only victim of terrorist attacks but on 7 July 2007, four suicide bombers set off 4 bombs and 52 people killed and over 700 injured in central London.

This was the deadliest terrorist attack in the United Kingdom since the Lockerbie bombings and deadliest bombing since WWII. It also killed more people than any single attack by the IRA.

One bomb went off on the underground (tube) just as it left the Liverpool Street station near the Monument to the Great Fire 1666. Another at Edgeware Road Station near Madame Tussauds and one that was between King’s Cross and Russell Square. The final bomb went off on a double decker bus in Tavistock Square, near King’s Cross.

Two weeks later on 21 July 2005, a second series of bombings took part on the London underground. However, none of the main detonators went off so luckily no one was killed. All of the failed suicide bombers escaped but were later arrested.

Although it was not on the same level of devastation, the British have also been targets for terrorism. They are also fighting alongside our troops. Please take a moment today in memory of all innocent victims of terrorism.

For more details, please visit this site.

Why don't the English celebrate the 4th of July?

I remember the first time I took my husband to his first fourth of July celebration and when my jaw dropped as an American asked him the question "Why don't the British celebrate the 4th of July?".  I thought the answer was quite obvious but I suppose it isn't.

As Americans, we celebrate the 4th of July because it is the day in 1776 we adopted the Declaration of Independence which was finally signed by all members on 2 August 1776. The colonists felt that they wanted to become independent because the King in Great Britain was raising their taxes and increasing the rules that they had to follow.

The reason why I think it is obvious is because as Americans we would not celebrate the Independence of Guam or other territories that we have. 

But don't worry there will be plenty of celebrating here on the bases, every year RAF Feltwell host a huge event with fireworks, airshow and of course rides!

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Spartan Race

The Spartan Race is an obstacle running event. It takes running to a whole other level. There are crawling obstacles, climbing, shocking and fire! It is a great way to switch up your running and see how fit you are!

Ladies Day at the Newmarket Races

I love Ladies Day at the Newmarket Races.

Ladies Day is great event. The women wear dresses and their hats. There is a competition for the best dressed (you have to register). One year the prize was for champagne for a year.

Many have a picnic in the parking lot and bet on the horses. It happens every July.

It's a great reason to get your girlfriends together, get dresses up and drink some bubbly.

Cambridge Shakespeare Festival

I always wanted to go to the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival but never got around to getting there until last year. It is one of the best art festivals in the UK and if you buy the season ticket like I did, it makes it more cost effective. I bought two of the season tickets which allowed me to go to 3 plays, each costing £37 and one ticket costing £15 so it saved me £8 in the end. I went with my husband to one, and took some friends to the others. 

This is outdoors so you can bring a blanket and a picnic. It does go on if it rains! There are also some seats but you will have to get there early to ensure that you get one!

I really like it, it makes going to see things like this affordable. I like going to the theatre and I like that these are in the gardens of the colleges in Cambridge.

I think this may be an annual thing for me!

Alzheimer Research Big Walk

Jane and I joined the first Big Walk and really enjoyed ourselves. It was a 10 mile walk from Great Shelford to Cambridge and back. The paths were very easy to walk and I think that this is the perfect distance for someone who is looking for a challenge but doesn't want to overexert themselves. Remember to bring water and put on some sunscreen!

Madingley American Memorial Cemetery

If you are American, you must visit the Madingley American Memorial Cemetery. Its is best to take it in at a ceremony on Veteran's Day or Memorial Day where they often have a fly by. But it is the most serene place.

This is the only cemetery in the UK dedicated to Americans who fought in WWII. There is a long wall with the names of 5,126 names of those lost in action.  There are four different statues for all the services. and this is inscribed on the top of the wall:

THE AMERICANS WHOSE NAMES HERE APPEAR
WERE PART OF THE PRICE THAT FREE MEN
FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THIS CENTURY
HAVE BEEN FORCED TO PAY TO DEFEND
HUMAN LIBERTY AND RIGHTS
ALL WHO SHALL HEREAFTER LIVE IN FREEDOM
WILL BE HERE REMINDED THAT TO THESE MEN
AND THEIR COMRADES
WE OWE A DEBT TO BE PAID
WITH GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF THEIR SACRIFICE
AND THE HIGH RESOLVE THAT THE CAUSE FOR WHICH THEY DIED
SHALL LIVE ETERNALLY

The Chapel is very nice as well. Inside, there is something for all religions in there. The  stain glass in the windows are of the 50 US stats listed in order of joining the Union. There is a map of the the shipping lanes during the war and bombing targets. On the outside of the chapel, there is a map of the American airfields in the UK during the war. 

There are over 3,800 Americans men and women buried in this cemetery. There are 24 graves that have not been positively identified.

If you need a reminder on why you are stationed here, this is a good one that is not to be missed. It makes me proud to have served my country.

Race for Life

We do a lot of charity walks and runs but some of the best ones are tied to the Cancer Research UK.

The Race for Life are women only events that you can take part in.

Get the family involved!

Plus you get a free pack and water at the end!

Run to the Beat Half Marathon

I have to admit, I have become a bit of fitness freak since leaving the US Air Force. I cycle to work and I run 4-6 times a week. I also love to do long distance walks and try anything that seems like a challenge.

In 2010 I wanted to run my first half marathon and so I signed up for the Run to the Beat Half Marathon. At the time I was working at Sweaty Betty at the time. As I was helping a customer who was also running the Run to the Beat Half Marathon, who only lived around the corner from me. The great thing is have we become really good friends and she began to run with me and Dusty in the mornings.

The Run to the Beat is a half marathon that takes place in London. near the O2. The race has bands  and DJs playing along the route and you run through Greenwich Park. It was really good, but there were two hills that I didn’t anticipate and I should have used the restrooms when I saw them, because I had to slow down until I finally saw another one. The scenery was good. It was great to run through Greenwich Park because it was where the Sweaty Betty Autumn/Winter 2011 catalogue pictures were taken and I thought it is amazing and that I must go back for a visit at a slower pace.

There were people on the side cheering you on and it just made you keep going. I completed the race in 1:50:44 so I am pleased as I have been told that if you do your first half marathon in less than two hours, it’s a good time.

I hope that you guys will take part in the activities and I hope that you make life long friends like I have :)

London to Cambridge Bike Ride

Jane and I took part in the London to Cambridge bike ride in 2011. It is a 60 mile bike ride that begins with Pickett's Lock (outside of London) and ends at Midsummers Common.

We met some lovely girls from Lakenheath while we were waiting to get on our bus and they must have kept up a good pace as we never saw them again :)

I have been training in the sense that I ride my bike to and from work and around Cambridge. I am also a keen runner so I was hoping that I would be in good enough shape to get me through this.

Jane loves long walks and did cycle for an hour a day leading up to the event.

It was a really great experience. The weather was fabulous. It was so motivating seeing the amount of people who were taking part, especially the people I inspired to take part like Dean (All Star Cleaning, window cleaner for my shop) and the guys I used to work with at Amino.

My father-in-law also took part on the Marshalls team. My husband and a family friend are looking to take part that is if my husband can get a few days off work (he has a arthritis in his ankle due to a work-related accident- 2.5 ton cherry picker falling on his leg) and the family friend has to get the okay after surviving cancer.

I would love to do this again and again.

Looking for a challenge? Get a team together and tackle this :)

Suffolk Walking Festival

This is a great affordable way to get out and about. Jane and I did the 18.5 mile walk from Bury St Edmunds to Clare. This one was a long distance walk but there were several that were tours around the area. The aim of this festival is to get people active and if you are looking for something to introduce you to some of the walks. There are some walks that you can take your children on and also some walks allow dogs. Why not get out there and get ready for the summer!

Cambridge Beer Festival

Every year the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) holds a beer festival in Cambridge. I wasn't sure what to expect but found the atmosphere to be laid back and got to try Mead (honey based alcohol- traditionally given to newly wedded couple because it was believed that it increases fertility.

You buy a glass to use for the day but if you give it back when you leave, you will get your money back. Be ready for queues but its worth it. Make sure you have a DD and they get free drinks (not very common here!).

Last year they had 200 real ales, 80 ciders and perries, foreign beer, English wine, mead and cheese.

So get a group of you together and try the ales of England.

Ely Eel Festival

Ely means the isle of the eels and every year it celebrates this through the Ely Eel Festival. They usually have a parade, food and craft stalls and performances. Also the last true eel catcher is there. Its a great day out and can be educational too!

Newmarket Nights

I love Newmarket Nights. It is a chance to get together with your friends, see some races (and maybe win) and go to concert. Where else can you do that?  During the summer, they usually have 6 Fridays that they have concerts.

We usually get tickets to the Garden Enclosure. They are the most affordable tickets, you can bring your own food and alcohol and it has a children’s area (playground and bouncing castle). When the races are over all the enclosures open up and everyone moves towards the stage to listen to the music.

It is a great way to get together with friends!